Running from the loan sharks clutches

Price hikes seem to follow us everywhere. We are constantly entrapped in a web of bills that shall have to be settled. Rising costs make it difficult to pay off even our regular bills. Thus, we are bound to be in a tough spot when the larger investments are concerned. This could include making home improvements, buying a car, financing college education, or funding a child's wedding. But we are fortunate that we have access to a huge assortment of loans. It is no longer as tough to obtain loans that will suit our budget and help us pay off various bills.

However, given the large numbers of loan providers, there is the constant risk of loan sharks. As much as possible, we should do business with only the more reputed loan providers. This is not to say that the smaller lenders are loan sharks. In fact, they might offer us some great deals that are not on offer at the more established banks and lenders. The point that we must take care of is to ensure that we do not get taken in by unlicensed people and organizations. If a loan provider is not well-known, we must take care to see to it that we try to track down customers who will testify that the lender provides good service.

If a person's credit score is good, he will be offered a wide variety of loans. No loan provider will refuse a loan to a person who has a good credit history. However, things are not as easy for a person who has failed to make timely repayments in the past. A bad credit history can be like a permanent scar. It can drive a person into the clutches of loan sharks whose interest charges may be 100 percent or even more. Worse than the interest itself are the dirty tactics that are used by these loan sharks to get you to pay up. Borrowers who secure loans from such people and organizations not only have difficulties in making repayment, but on account of the loan they also suffer from a great deal of worry.

People with bad credit would do much better if they tried applying for bad credit loans instead. If these seem difficult to get hold of, a person should consider getting a cash advance on his credit card. Often enough, one does not get loans as one lacks familiarity about various deals and market conditions. Consulting a financial advisor or a broker could provide answers to many of the loan-seeker's queries.

Skyrocketing savings with a 0 apr credit card

Every working individual has their own priorities to think of. Some are thinking about the mortgage they have availed when they have purchased their present residence. Others are prioritizing the education of their children through availing educational plans. These are priorities in which they need to invest a portion of their salary.

Despite of differences in terms of setting their own priorities, every working individual is bounded by a common goal-and that is, to save money from their salary, which they can use to fund other important things aside from their everyday living. With prices of commodities increasing nowadays, it is quite hard for every ordinary working individual to budget their salary for various needs. In fact, there are instances wherein they have work other than their regular job to keep up with the increasing prices of commodities and other essential needs.

There are many ways of saving money from your meager salary. You may switch to brands that are quite cheaper from the previous brand that you are using. You may also cut back on the quantity of goods that you have previously purchased. If you tend to buy 5 dozens of eggs for $4.50 per dozen, for instance, you may save a lot if you will just buy 2 dozens of eggs, that is $8.00. You have save some $14.50, which you can use on other expenditures.

If you are planning to get credit cards for your future purchases (if your cash is really not enough), you can save substantial amounts of money by getting 0 percent APR credit cards. Different credit card companies also need to cope up with the change in market conditions, and in order to attract more clients, expect that the 0 percent APR credit card always comes along with their offerings.

Definitely, a 0 percent APR (annual percentage rate) credit card lets you pay the amount that you have actually borrowed from the credit card company, with no additional charges. In other words, if your credit card's monthly credit limit is $1,000 and it is at 0 percent interest, you will just pay the total amount without any additional charges.

With 0 percent APR credit cards, you will be able to save substantial amounts of money out of interest rate payments. However, in order to qualify for this kind of credit card offering, you need to consider several things first.

1.Individuals who qualify for 0 percent APR credit card are those who possess good credit standings. Individuals with good credit standings are considered by credit card companies as "low risk consumers". Thus, you need to check first your credit report and clear any bad credit so that you will be able to qualify for 0 percent APR credit card. By the way, you are entitled to 1 free credit report every year.

2.Once you have now a clean credit report, you may now apply for a credit card without doubt.

There are two ways that you can get your 0 percent APR credit card.

a. If you have credit cards at present, you may ask if they can convert your account into 0 APR credit. In most cases, you will be given 0 APR credit for a period of 6 months to a year. Before the term ends, you may set up the 0 APR credit on a different card and transfer the remaining balance.

b. You may open new credit cards that offers 0 APR. However, this is usually an "introductory offer", thus you will switch to a higher APR after a certain period of time (usually from 6 months to a year).

Your salary is your hard-earned money. Take the opportunity of getting 0 APR credit cards and save your hard-earned money for your future.

Cooking cajun favorites makes mardi gras sizzle

Cooking Cajun Favorites Makes Mardi Gras Sizzle

Aside from the temperatures, there is plenty that sizzles in the city of New Orleans. From the streets in the summer time to the music in the square almost any night of any given week to the food in dingy diners and white table clothe restaurants alike this city is hot and everyone who spends any amount of time here knows it. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is an entity unto itself. It has taken a hit since Katrina but the people of this great city that have come back and are dedicated to its rebuilding efforts are much like the food and the flare that makes Mardi Gras such a memorable event in this of all cities.

If you haven't had the pleasure of some of the spicier New Orleans cuisine perhaps we should place a warning label on it, but this is something most visitors simply must find out for themselves. One thing is for certain if the first bite isn't hot enough we can certainly bring up the temperature with some aptly named Louisiana hot sauce to be sure.

Red beans and rice is a great Cajun favorite. While the beans and the rice aren't too terribly hot by themselves when you add a bit of the hot sauce and some andouille sausage to the mix you'll find the temperature inside might be rivaling the warmest of August days in the sunshine. Be sure to have plenty of water close at hand when you begin your dining experience because while you don't necessarily need it with the first bite, chances are good that you will need it by the last. When cooking red beans and rice you'll want to brown the sausage a bit first, leaving the dripping in the pan, then add the beans and prepare to have them simmer all day once they've been brought to a boil. You should season according to your preferences but be sure to add a little bit of salt unless you'll be adding ham in addition to the sausage. You also serve the beans over rice and don't cook the rice and the beans together though some people certainly use less rice than others.

Another thing you want to remember when enjoying Cajun food is that you want to save room for whatever comes next and you do not necessarily want to know what you're eating at all times. Sometimes it is better to wonder in ignorance than to like something and discover the truth. In other words, no matter how good it is, never, ever ask what's in it.

If you're learning to cook Cajun food, of course, you won't have the option of deniability. You will learn the good, the bad, and the ugly about many favorites. I think I was most dismayed to discover that I was eating turtle soup one day. It was actually quite delicious (though I'm not sure if I was more pleased with the soup or the sherry, which is a common add in for turtle soup, that I found more pleasing) until I discovered what it was. From that point on I was afraid to try anything that looked remotely different from what I was accustomed to eating without first wanting all the details of what was in it. I missed out on a few great dishes I am quite certain and have learned my lesson to some degree. But cooking Cajun food is part science, part art and very important to take the Mardi Gras atmosphere away from the Big easy. Good luck and "let the good times roll."

PPPPP

606

Wine labels explained

You may remember the old adage 'you can't judge a book by its cover', but is the same true about a bottle of wine? Can you judge wine by its label?

What Do The Labels Mean?

There is a lot of information in the label of a bottle of wine, and if you aren't a connoisseur of wine it can be a little overwhelming at first glance. The majority of wine labels are quite similar though, containing information on the winery where the wine was made, the 'appellation' (the country or region where the grapes that went into the wine were grown), the variety (the type of grapes the wine was made from) and the vintage (the year when the grapes were harvested). The strength / alcohol content of the wine is also displayed on the label.

Some extra information may appear depending on the country in which the wine was bottled. As an example, wines bottled in the USA are required to have the name and address of the bottler displayed on the label, along with certain consumer warnings. There are also sometimes some details on the ripeness of the grapes, and information about the winery that produced the wine.

What Else Appears on Wine Labels?

What once was just used to mark what was in the bottle, wine labels have become a spot to showcase artwork and make for a unique collection for a wine lover. While they may seem like an odd collection, the artwork on wine labels can be extremely beautiful, and a label may remind you of a special trip or an important event where you enjoyed the wine. And wine labels are certainly easier to save and display than empty bottles! Collecting wine labels has become so popular that manufacturers have even developed special cases to display them, and wine labels actually have their own category on eBay! Avid collectors often have their own websites or blogs devoted to sharing their collection with others.

Can I Customize a Label For A Special Occasion?

If you are planning a special celebration – perhaps a wedding, anniversary celebration, or even just a really fancy company party, then you could take advantage of companies that allow you to turn a piece of your own artwork into a wine label. You could put pretty much anything you wanted on the label – a photograph of the couple getting married, your company logo, or some other design of significance to the recipient. After the wine has been drank, it is likely the bottle will remain displayed in pride of place for a long time to come!

Warm contacts learn how to create a list of them

A warm contact list is a list of people that you contact when you are looking for a job. These people are willing to help you in your search by offering information about current job openings, business opportunities, or just to give you tips on looking for a job. So who belongs on your warm contact list? Here are some people who might be willing to help.

Family and friends should always be first on your list of warm contacts. They are always willing to help or to give advice. They may be able to give you information on job openings, or refer you to trustworthy people who might be able to help you. They can introduce you to people who could help with your search, and provide honest information about the people you are associating with.

Former employers or co workers are also a must on your warm contact list. It is important to keep a good relationship with former employers because a potential employer will most likely call past employers to see what kind of a worker you were and why you no longer have that job anymore. Past employers can also give you information on that field and that could help in your job search. When you ask family and friends about information it can very well be second hand or rumors. But when you ask someone who is in the same field as you are looking to go into, such as a past employer, they will be able to give you first hand information or clear up any questions you might have.

People who share the same beliefs and hobbies as you are often willing to help you with your job search. Members of the church, political party, fraternity, or sorority usually will help you with your job search. They may give you information or they could also think twice about giving it to you. Their opinion of the people they can connect you with could help you build a strategy on how to approach them and ask them for their help.

Another type of person you might want to have on your warm contacts list is people who sell you things. You may think that your relationship doesn't extend past the retail and business you have together, but more than likely they will be willing to help you in the job field if they can. These people know that maintaining a stable relationship is crucial to eh business that you have together. They may be a good source because they know a lot of different people and associate with them on a daily basis. They could be able to refer you to someone they know that is in the same field as you are looking to go into.

A professional organization related to the field you are looking to go into can give you unbiased information on job openings with their members. These organizations can also give you information on a business that you are thinking about working for.

These are the most important people you want to talk to when searching for a job. These people should make up your warm contact list and should give you the most options on your job search.

Hyde jekyll male menopause syndrome 1

Surviving and understanding the Jekyll and Hyde male menopause syndrome

Some if not all men fear this certain stage in man’s life called male menopause. For many, this crisis is the start of half dying and half living nature.

But what about male menopause is really scary?

When a man reaches the age of 40, he starts to become irritable, easily stressed and starts to lose his passion and purpose in life. This turning point of the way to andropause haunted men in one way or another - Male menopause syndrome.

There are three causes linked to male menopause syndrome. First is the fluctuation of male hormones. This is a normal occurrence as we age. But also, this can be manifested due to lack of nutrients and exercise. The next factor is the change in the brain’s biochemistry. The decrease in the supply of neurotransmitters increases hostility, anger and impatience. The third and the resolvable cause is the increase of stress level. It could be due to too much consumption of alcohol or due to psychological stresses. How you handle circumstances can be a big factor in this area. It could be avoided if only you would try. These factors became part of the mid-life struggles which challenge men to overcome.

Many wives had their stories to tell about their partners with altering characters, husbands who turn from being Jekyll to Hyde, from being compassionate to mean. The male menopause syndrome patterned to the book of Robert Louis Stevenson entitled “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” had so much in common.

The story is about Dr. Jekyll who had this pursuit of separating the good and the bad nature of man. In his quest, he encountered rejections from colleagues and superiors. For that he had to work alone for his project. Then, Dr. Jekyll had to do the experiment with himself. That separated his evil nature who turned out to be Mr. Hyde. In contrary to the good persona of Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde had been murdering the board of governors who turned down the cause of Dr Jekyll. All through the story, Dr Jekyll had been pursuing in vain to control his evil half.

The same pursuit happens to men who are suffering from the male menopause syndrome. From being the responsible and loving Jekyll, they had the tendency to turn to being the irritable Hyde. Men at this age seemed to change overnight.

But these tendencies are often triggered by loss of a friend or relative. The death of a close person seemed to trigger thoughts of them being the next in line. And the realization of their being mortal is so striking that he has convoluted thoughts.

The confusion that he feels is often accounted to his responsibilities and to the people surrounding him. Then he describes this feeling as being trapped and subsequently loses his sense of being.

At this crisis, men need to be understood. It is a crucial period when a man would want to be free and to destroy the order of the old ways. It is the period when they need to feel needed, and that they are important. There could be a lot of remedies in store trying to relieve the symptoms of male menopause. They can cause side effects, however. The best cure is to give them enough support and guidance to overcome this crisis.

How lemon juice power gives you asthma relief

If you just found out you have asthma or are a long time asthma sufferer, here's step one to start off on your natural remedy lifestyle to reducing and controlling your asthma.

Use of lemon juice has been found to have tremendous benefits in the body and of course for stopping and controlling asthma attacks.

So, step one is to use lemon juice every morning. Forget about the idea that lemon juice is acid and is bad for you if you have arthritis. Yes, lemon juice can cut into and breakup oil. But, when it enters the body as an acid, it ends up as alkaline residue after your cells use it up. Besides if you aren't eating enough oils such as olive and fish oils this can contribute to the lack of oil to lubricate your joints and anti-inflammatory chemicals and this can accelerate the deterioration of your joint cartilage.

Step one for fighting back if you have asthma

Now, here's what you don't want to hear. First, do a two day fast using only water and lemon juice. Every morning after you get up, in eight ounces of distilled water, squeeze the juice of one organic lemon. Warm the distilled water slightly to give this drink extra energy and to reduce the work you body has to do to digest this drink.

Increase the power of this lemon drink

After your two day fast, continue drinking this lemon drink in the morning at least Ѕ hour before you have breakfast. Now when you prepare this lemon drink add two teaspoons of ionic manganese. Here's where to read more about manganese: http://www. wateroz. com/minerals/Manganese. htm

Then go to google and search for Wateroz ionic manganese

Manganese is known as the love mineral. If you have a lot of anger, hate, stress, depression, anxiety this can aggravate your asthma. Manganese will help to lessen these emotionally conditions.

After you drink this lemon juice, rinse out your mouth with distilled water so that the lemon juice acid will not affect the enamel on your teeth.

Super charge your lemon drink

Now, here is one more thing. Add one two tablespoons of liquid chlorophyll to your lemon-manganese drink. Now you have a drink that will help to detoxify your colon little by little. Toxins that get into your blood from your colon weaken the tissues in your lungs and bronchials. So, it is best to keep your blood clean.

There it is. This is just a start. Go out and get some organic lemons, do the fast, add some manganese, then some chlorophyll and see your asthma attacks lessen day by day.

Want to save time and increase productivity how time tracking software can help

:
Juggling numerous clients and projects can be really hard! Recording work hours on a spreadsheet is time-consuming and inaccurate. Trying to gather team hours is usually a mess. Then there is the frustration of creating billing reports for clients. Fortunately, consultants, programmers, contractors, architects, lawyers, and other professionals are finding an easy solution to these problems: time tracking software.

Just hit the button!

No more constantly looking at the clock. Simply hit a button to start timing a task and then hit it again to stop if you finish or take a break. Some software will begin a new task every time you hit the start button, others will let you add more time to an open task after you've stopped timing. This ease of use increases accuracy in billing so “estimating” work time is a thing of the past. Time tracking is precise and always updated.

Easy Reporting

Time tracking software will help you be more efficient by storing your timed tasks in conjunction with a client and project. You may also add a description of the task. Forget trying to remember what happened to all your hours at the end of the day or week! These tasks are archived and then you can retrieve them when creating reports weekly, monthly, or during a customized time period.

Seamless Teamwork

When working on team projects, I would highly recommend using software that supports team time sharing online. Team members can log into an Internet workspace to track their hours even when away from the office. Reports can then be created with everyone's billable and non-billable timed tasks. No time is wasted gathering information...the data will always be updated and ready to go...just print it!

Don't be stuck in the dark ages of spreadsheets and manual entry. Modern technology is making mundane tasks quick and easy! For those that want to spend more time working for their clients and less time sifting through data and making reports, time tracking is the answer!

How to buy digital cameras online

For me personally I do not like to purchase digital cameras online. I think you get a better overall impression of what you'll be getting if you "get your hands on it." You all can call me "old fashioned" on this one. But that being said, I am not naive enough to believe that people will not buy over the Internet. And there are some added bonuses to buying online, such as getting a digital camera for a lot less money from online bidding sites. So here's how I would recommend buying a camera online.

The very first thing you need to do is to go to a reputable site. Like I said before, you can go to online bidding sites to try and save a bit of money. Ebay is the most obvious of them. The one thing I really like about Ebay, is the rating system the site employs after each transaction. Many of you already know this, but for those of you that don't, after each transaction the buyer and the seller rate each other's performance. So if you see a seller with a great reputation, chances are, you're not going to be ripped off. This is not to say that you can't get scammed, but the added tools of to rate sellers and buyers have reduced this very drastically.

If online bidding does not appeal to you, then fear not! There are a multitude of other sites for you to go to. Places such as Best Buy and Circuit City have their own websites for you to buy Digital Cameras online. The added bonus to these sites is that they're very professional and also usually come with some sort of a guarantee about your purchase. This also includes warranties and other things to make you feel more comfortable.

Another place that could be helpful are the digital camera forums that you can find. These places are just online meeting places that can help you out on a lot of issues including the best sites to buy from.

My best advice is to get on the Internet and search for "Digital Cameras." You will no doubt get many many many sites from which to buy. And for the bargain hunters this could be incentive enough.

Happy hunting for those Digital Cameras Online!

Wells fargo 401k plans robbed thousands missing

According to a Minnesota TV station, a Wells Fargo 401(k) plan operations manager has been accused of robbing 401k plan accounts.

The 401k Operations Manager, who oversaw the 401k daily fund operations, allegedly disbursed money from dormant 401k accounts to fictitious names he created. He then had the checks sent to his own office and deposited the funds into his own account,

HOW THE 401K ACCOUNTS WERE ROBBED

Point-by-point, this retirement operations manager eluded what should have been Well’s Fargo’s own financial and procedural controls. He:

• Requested name changes on dormant 401k accounts,

• Provided false Social Security numbers for the fake names, then

• Requested the disbursements from the accounts, and finally

• Reset the account information back to the original owners.

Where were the procedural controls? At each step in this alleged theft, there should have been procedural controls to prevent someone from taking these actions without either an independent review and / or supervisory authorization.

A lack of independent review or supervisory oversight was only half the problem. The other half was bundling the record keeping and the assets under the same organization.

When a 401k plan’s administration and assets are at the same organization, the risk of insiders bypassing their own procedural controls is always present.

“Five Actions You Must Take Now to Protect Your Plan’s Assets.”

You put your 401k funds into the hands of those who seem trust worthy. Whether it is greed or some other need that results in the abandonment of their obligations and responsibilities to you, you need to protect yourself and your plan’s assets.

Here is what you need to do now--

First:

Check with your plan administrator or record keeper to determine whether they are also holding your assets. You may find that your record keeping is being done by one subsidiary and your assets are being held by another subsidiary or division of the same company.

Second:

Request a “SAS -70” or “SysTrust” audit of the system, procedural and financial controls on your 401k assets.

A SAS 70 audit is designed to provide information and assurance to clients and their auditors regarding the organization’s procedural and financial controls. The auditor renders an opinion on whether the controls were suitably designed, placed in operation, and operating effectively. The SAS 70 auditor’s report includes the independent auditor's opinion, a description of the service organization's controls, and the results of the service auditor's procedures.

A SysTrust audit is designed to increase the comfort of management, customers, and business partners with systems that support a business or particular activity. In a SysTrust audit, the auditor evaluates and tests whether or not a specific system is reliable when measured against three essential principles: availability, security, and integrity.

Third:

Require that all Plan information changes be authorized by a Plan Representative or Trustee.

Have a standardized form that can be completed by the 401k record keeper. The data changes must then be approved by a plan representative. Often you will find that the plan representative is the one supplying both the data and the approval. Be sure to get a quarterly report of all information changes and the reasons for the changes.

Fourth:

Require that all plan participant disbursements be first approved and authorized by a plan representative.

All plans have standard distribution forms that need to be completed and approved prior to a disbursement. Make sure that these forms are being completed. Have your record keeper complete a form even if it is for an automatic rollover participant, one of those whose balance is between $1,000 and $5,000 and is being moved to an IRA. Just like the information changes, an accounting of all disbursements from the plan should be provided to you on a quarterly basis.

Fifth:

Transfer your plan to an organization that can meet your financial and procedural control requirements.

In the review of your plan’s record keeper, you may find many of the necessary controls and procedures lacking or non existent. If your record keeper can not provide the types of procedures and controls that will let you sleep at night, then it is time for a change.

By implementing the five actions now you will have one less furrowed brow. If however, you can’t implement these actions now, you will be lying awake nights with one eye open for your plan’s assets.

Sc convertible sports cars

Convertible Incredible

What can be more appealing than driving a convertible? Convertible sports cars, with their sleek and sophisticated looks, are much in demand in the market. For someone who is hoping to snag his own top-down, here are some of the models he needs to consider:

1. 2005 BMW Z4

Sure, this baby is expensive - hey, it's a BMW - but its dynamics and features pretty much explain the price. This German sports car makes a statement as it speedily cruises along the highway.

2. 2005 Audi TT

High-performance, power-engined and invigorating, the 2005 Audi TT always garners an excellent rating in car reviews. With its awesome windscreen, roll hoops and headlamps, the driver cannot go wrong with this one.

3. 2005 Chevrolet Corvette

Over time, Chevrolet Corvette has proven itself with its remarkable power. Now in its sixth generation, the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette is smaller than its older counterparts, but better. With a horsepower of 400, it can go from zero to 60 mph per hour in four seconds. Unbelievable! This makes the Corvette a staple in any summer.

4. 2005 Lexus SC 430

The Lexus SC 430 is inspired by, no less than, the French Riviera. This car can go from coupe to a raging roadster in a span of 25 seconds. It is stylish, glamorous and powerful.

5. 2005 Mazda Miata

This model is pretty affordable for its look and power. This is very dependable and dynamic and it will knock the driver ‘off his feet’. With its reactive suspension and immense horsepower, this convertible sports car is one for the books.

6. 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle

Charming and cute like any other Beetle, this monster-engined convertible promises an adventurous ride on those lazy summer afternoons.

7. Jaguar XK8 Convertible

Great design, awesome interior, and technologically-advanced, this convertible can bring out the best in every driver. Its speed can go up to 155 mph per hour and the acceleration? Zerp - 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. Now that's truly incredible!

8. 2006 Cadillac XLR

This is a top-of-the-line convertible sports car, which promises "capacity like no other." It is almost $78,000 but who cares? This is probably the best in the market now.

9. 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster

Test drive this car and see that it is more amazing than its previous version.

All these convertible sports cars are undeniably worth the money and the effort to maintain them.

Health and retirement

In planning for your retirement, buying disability, health or long-term care insurance is important. The insurance company would usually want to know a lot about you. You will be classified based on your habits, medical records and family history.

You have to have an understanding of your own health. The biggest factor in determining the insurance cost is your health.

Here is some advice from insiders to get the best health ranking possible at lowest possible rates:

1. Tell the truth

Hiding some facts on your health will not help you. First, the insuring company will eventually find out because they do have your records. They will presume that the problem is serious, since you did not mention it. Worse, withholding info the company regards as important could lead to the cancellation of your policy.

Give the insurance company your complete health history. But do it under your own terms. For example, don’t just say that you have high blood pressure. Inform them that you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure several years ago and have kept control of it.

Give them complete information and reduce the uncertainty, then eventually you would get a good deal.

Be careful on how you say things, a hesitant answer would seem that you are hiding something. Be as clear as possible with your replies.

Ask what the ranking is based on. There would generally be criteria in determining the health ranking and it varies from one company to another. Determine your ranking in a specific company and why. This helps you get a better picture and hopefully and decrease your premium. Canvass for the best rates possible but know that the rate is just one consideration.

2. Your doctor can help.

Inform your physician. Insurance companies would want to talk with your physician and look at your records. If not that, they would at least look at your records at the Medical Insurance Bureau.

Your best move is to inform your physician that you’re applying for insurance. A forewarning helps in ensuring that the insurance company gets noticed and gives you in return a favorable rating.

Ensure that the company gets a complete record, especially if you have moved from one doctor to another. The insurance company wants all of your health records to get a complete idea of your state of health.

Inquire discretely. Too much inquiry might raise a red flag on you. Try to get an agent to do the shopping for you. Choose your insurance broker carefully. Just like other professionals, they’re not created equal.

Freight and shipping

Freight is transporting goods by water, air or sea, and shipping is the most commonly used mode of transport for carrying freight from one place to another. The shipping industry forms 90% of world trade; nearly 50,000 ships that make up the international trading fleet are technically sophisticated. The cost of a new ship varies between US $100 million to nearly $200 million.

Freight is classified as incoming freight and outgoing freight. In most cases, in regards to incoming freight, the international goods arrive by water or air. Domestic shipments find en route either by roads or by air. In case of the outgoing freights service providers basically send the goods either by sea or by road. Only fragile and perishable items are transported by air.

Freights is often moved by ship. Most of the imports and exports of a nation are solely dependent on the shipping industry. For an economy to flourish, the shipping industry plays a vital role in not only transporting produce to international markets but also bringing raw materials back into the nation. The industry is classified as intrinsically global. The shipping industry has a unique business set-up: a ship can be owned by someone, managed by another, registered by a third country and manned by people of an entirely different nation. Because of its international characteristics, its safe operation is regulated by United Nations agencies. Officers in the ships from different nations are trained in accordance to the global standards.

It is imperative that an individual makes the effort to identify the best service provider while shipping goods from one place to another. Documents such as bill of landing, signature on the receipt document, proper addresses in the papers, and contracts should be made before getting into a deal with the company, so that the goods reach their destination intact.

Home remedies to retain teeth and lip color for intense smokers

Have years of smoking made your teeth yellow and darkened the color of your lips? Here are some home remedies that can help you retain teeth and lip color.

Whiter Teeth

These home remedies will lighten the stains caused by smoking with the use of natural products. All the ingredients used are inexpensive and will save you many expensive trips to the dentist.

Strawberries.

Take three to six ripe strawberries, two teaspoons of baking soda, one teaspoon of cream of tartar and a cup of water. Puree the strawberries and make a paste. Apply to your teeth overnight for a week and dazzle everybody with your bright new smile.

Sugarless Gum.

Munch on a piece of sugarless gum after you've had your coffee and cigarette. Doing so will produce more saliva to swish away the darkening liquids before they have a chance to stain your teeth.

Water.

Sip on water or rinse you mouth every time you eat or drink a stain-producing food or beverage and after you light up. This will help cleanse your teeth and prevent stains from accumulating.

Bicarbonate of Soda.

Brush your teeth with bicarbonate of soda and then brush with your normal toothpaste. Repeat this routine every 15 days.

Don't rush when you brush.

Concentrate on brushing your teeth slowly with circular movements using a soft bristled toothbrush. Take your time and ensure that you get to those hard to reach areas.

Lighter Lips

Smokers have darker lips than normal due to nicotine stains. Here are some methods which you can use to lighten your lips a shade.

Vaseline.

Apply Vaseline to your lips regularly. This keeps lips moisturized and helps prevent staining of your lips.

Lemon and Glycerin.

Scrubbing your lips gently with lemon daily should help remove the discoloration, but this may be harsh on your lips, so make sure you apply glycerin to your lips first. Leave the lemon and glycerin on for at least ten minutes before washing off. You could also do the same at night, and sleep with lemon on your lips.

Almond Oil.

Apply almond oil with a dab of cream on your lips. This will ensure that your lips are moisturized and the layer of oil will help prevent build up of nicotine stains on your lips. You can also apply almond oil or cream of milk daily on the lips.

The most important remedy to reduce staining on your lips and teeth is to quit smoking. The efficiency of these home remedies is dramatically increased if you do not add to the nicotine staining every day.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Employee retention in the twenty first century

Employee Retention in the Twenty First Century

The business paradigm in virtually every department of the modern business has been undergoing continuous change in the last ten years to such an extent that it becomes necessary to step back and review how we do business in all aspects of corporate life in light of new markets and new ways even our employees do business. This is as much true in our Human Resource Department as it is in Marketing. The labor pool is changing and the impact on the bottom line of the business can see be serious if we don’t change how we go about recruitment and view employee retention in light of the changes to the available educated labor “out there” to draw upon for our staffing needs.

Employee retention and how we approach the concept of keeping employees over many years is an area where certain assumptions must be challenged if we are going to stay competitive. Some assumptions concerning employee retention that are rapidly becoming obsolete include…

§ That there is an unlimited resource of eager employees out there to fill my staffing needs.

§ That it’s a good idea to cycle employees in and out of the company because that keeps benefits costs down.

§ That the “my way or the highway” approach to management is the right way to go to enforce your vision for how work will get done.

§ That employees are commodities. There are always more where they came from.

§ That employees should be grateful just to get a paycheck.

§ It is better to keep a youthful staff and to move older employees out of the work place.

The labor pool in changing with shifts in the demographics in the country and those changes make these assumptions obsolete and dangerous if we expect to keep a staff that can provide quality support for our business objectives. Because the “baby boom” is leaving the market and being replaced with a smaller and less skilled youth population, we have to adjust our expectations both in terms of hiring and retention.

Probably the biggest change we have to get used to is to begin to view employees as valued assets and to give significant attention to retention, not just once a year at performance review time but on a daily and weekly basis. The assumption that employees will work for us for a paycheck and that we can exert leverage in the management situation because of a large labor pool we can tap to replace unhappy employees has become a flawed approach to people management.

The truth is the pool of talented labor is shirking at an alarming rate. If you have a staff of skilled people who you have invested in to bring up their knowledge and skill levels, that is an investment worth. Skilled and educated employees are in short supply and, above all, they know they are in demand so they can move from job to job without difficulty if they become dissatisfied at their current work place.

These changes to the paradigm of emplacement justify a corporate wide reevaluation of retention policies and strategies. The HR Department should be on the forefront of changing the business’s attitude toward employees from one of “us against them” to one of employee empowerment and partnership.

The managers who will excel at retaining valuable, productive and trained employees will be those who see the employment relationship as a contract in which management has responsibilities to employees to assure their continued growth and success just as the employee must pull his weight in the company. A partnership approach to management will go a long way toward improving the company’s retention profile which will benefit the business in a multitude of ways.

PPPPP 630

Bwcc2 us coin collecting

The Verity of US Coin Collecting

Some people are born to love money; whether they spend it or just collect it, they are simply born to love the way money provides them the kind of gratification that they need.

For example those people who are coin collectors simply love the sight of coins and many wish to display their collections as art.

In the United States, coin collecting started as early as 1652. During this period, business people and individuals alike, were known to engrave and distribute their personal coins.

Some people are so interested in coin collecting that they are more willing to combine various forms and categories. The reason for this fascination for these coins is the very nature of U. S. coins.

The U. S. Mint carefully crafts U. S coins and over the past 30 years it has minted nearly 300 billion coins.

When the Articles of Confederation gave consent for the different states to create or manufacture their own coins, the U. S. coin collections grew at an unparalleled rate. That is why in the middle of 1780's, states like Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts started creating various coins unique to their states. This prompted the start of "rare coin collection."

To know more about U. S. coin collecting, here are some of the basic facts that you must know:

1. It was on 1787 that the primary "federally" approved coin of the U. S. was first made. It was in New Haven, Connecticut where the "Fugio Cent," the name of the coin, was secretly manufactured.

2. The U. S. Mint is responsible for manufacturing the U. S. coins. The agency uses bands of metal that are rolled into loops, with the right breadth and measurements. Each kind of coin uses a particular kind of metal. For instance, metal strips that are made of zinc are used to manufacture pennies, while nickels are made of a 25% "nickel metal alloy" and 75% copper.

For this reason, U. S. coin collecting is further subdivided into categories such as the U. S cent, U. S. nickel, U. S. dime, etc.

People who would like to start collecting U. S. coins, should learn the intricacies or the hobby and find ways to acquire their first coins.

The hobby of U. S. coin collecting is not just a wonderful hobby but also a great way to preserve the nation's culture and history.

The case for value stock investing... what if

Wall Street Institutions pay billions of dollars annually to convince the investing public that their Economists, Investment Managers, and Analysts can predict future price movements in specific company shares and trends in the overall Stock Market. Such predictions (often presented as “Wethinkisms” or Model Asset Allocation adjustments) make self-deprecating investors everywhere scurry about transacting with each new revelation. “Thou must heed the oracle of Wall Street”… not to be confused with the one from Omaha, who really does know something about investing. “These guys know this stuff so much better than we do” is the rationale of the fools in the street, and on the hill (sic).

What if it’s true, and these pinstriped super humans can actually predict the future, why do you transact the way you do in response? Why would financial professionals of every shape and size holler “sell” when prices move lower, and vice versa? Would this pitch work at the mall? Of course not. Now lets bring this phenomenon into focus. Hmmm, not one of these Institutional Gurus ever doubts the basic truth that both the Market Indices and individual issue prices will continue to move up and down, forever. So, if we were to slowly construct a diversified portfolio of value stocks (My short definition: profitable, dividend paying, NYSE companies.) as they fall in price, we would be able to take profits during the following upward cycle… also forever. Hmmm.

Let's pretend for a (foolish) moment that broad market movements are somewhat predictable. Regardless of the direction, professional advice will always fuel the perceived operative emotion: greed or fear! Wall Street's retail representatives (stock brokers), and the new, internet expert, self-directors, rarely go against the grain of the consensus opinion…particularly the one projected to them by their immediate superior/spouse. You cannot obtain independent thinking from a Wall Street salesperson; it just doesn't fill up the Beemer. Sorry, but you have to be able to think for yourself to stay in balance while pedaling on the Market Cycle. Here's some global advice that you will not hear on the street of dreams (and don't get all huffy until you understand what to buy or to sell as well as when to do so): Sell into rallies. Buy on bad news. Buy slowly; sell quickly. Always sell too soon. Always buy too soon, incrementally. Always have a plan. A plan without buying guidelines and selling targets is not a plan.

Predicting the performance of individual issues is a totally different ball game that requires an even more powerful crystal ball and a whole array of semi-legal and completely illegal relationships that are mostly self serving and useless to average investors. But, again, let's pretend that a mega million-dollar salary and industry recognition as a superstar creates Master of the Universe quality prediction capabilities…I'm sorry. I just can't even pretend that it’s true! The evidence against it is just too great, and the dangers of relying on analytical opinions too real. No one can predict individual issue price movements legally, consistently, or in a timely manner. Face up to this: the risk of loss is real; it can be minimized but not eliminated.

Investing in individual issues has to be done differently, with rules, guidelines, and judgment. It has to be done unemotionally and rationally, monitored regularly, and analyzed with performance evaluation tools that are portfolio specific and without calendar time restrictions. This is not nearly as difficult as it sounds, and if you are a “shopper” looking for bargains elsewhere in your life, you should have no trouble understanding how it works. Not a rocket scientist? Good, and if you are at all familiar with the retailing business, even better. You don’t need any special education evidentiary acronyms or software programs for stock market success… just common sense and emotion control.

Wall Street sells products, and spins reality in whatever manner they feel will produce the best results for those products. The direction of the market doesn’t matter to them and it wouldn't to you either if you had a properly constructed portfolio. If you learn how to deal unemotionally with Wall Street events, and shun the herd mentality, you will find yourself in the proper cyclical mode much more often: buying at lower prices and, as a result, taking profits instead of losses. Just what if…

Coming next: Developing a Value Stock Watch List and Profit Taking Targets.

Best merchant services

A High-risk merchant account is a merchant account service provided to internet merchants that have been declared "high-risk" by Visa and MasterCard. This is owing to the nature of their businesses, that have a high credit rate or a high turnover but also, an increased risk of fraud and chargebacks.

Characteristically, it's very hard for high risk and non-US businesses to obtain a merchant account. High risk merchant accounts offered by different service providers allow International Merchants to privately process their credit card transactions and have the proceeds sent to an offshore bank account. The fees are higher for offshore/high risk credit card processing.

Credit card processors are likely to reject you if your business is considered high-risk. The aim is to locate a credit card processor that gets you approved and has you up and accepting credit cards quickly and efficiently, with either a high risk merchant account or an international merchant account.

Examples of high risk merchant accounts include pharmaceuticals, telemarketing, infomercials, travel industries, online dating, replica, gaming etc. Some of these are considered more high risk than others.

High risk merchant accounts are available with international banks. A merchant has to do the following to obtain a direct account if their merchant account is considered high risk:

1. Incorporated in the bank’s jurisdictions (this requirement is based on credit card operating regulations)

2. Have 6 months of existing processing history (preferable the last 6 months)

3. Chargebacks in the last 6 months must be less than 1 %.

4. Pay the required set up fees

5. Provide principal’s passport, business incorporation documents - some jurisdictions require a local nominee director’s passport and a utility bill of the nominee director. This is done to avoid cross border issues.

6. The merchant website has to be in compliance to Visa and MasterCard requirements

These merchant accounts can also be classified as offshore high risk merchant accounts, international merchant accounts, and high volume merchant accounts.

The other option if you do not have processing history and you do not want pay the expensive of incorporation in the bank’s jurisdiction, you can always get a third party merchant account. A third party merchant account’s underwriting is less stringent and is set up much faster than a direct account.

Revealed the ultimate lead generation tool

There is one lead generation strategy that out performs all others exponentially. This strategy is so powerful that when applied in a systematic fashion, to an existing business, it will more than double your profit.

Even more appealing, it entails practically no additional marketing expenditure. The most amazing fact however about this method, is that less than 1 in 10 companies have implemented a formal approach to this powerful profit boosting tactic.

Create a Referral Strategy

The strategy that I am referring to is a referral strategy. Most importantly, ask them for a referral! For those of you married or with partners, think back to when you met them. Were you with someone you know, was there a connection to someone you know – or were they complete strangers that you just walked up to?

Most businesses will tell you that they do really well due to word of mouth. How well do they do? Most can’t quantify it. In addition very few have implemented any formal process or strategy to ensure a referral system is in place.

A Referral Strategy in Practice

Let me share with you a simple strategy, which was put in place by a service garage. You should strongly consider a variant of this strategy for your own business. The garage owner created a simple card, which outlined in 5 short bullets, why they were a great place to get your car service done.

They gave this form to all people who had just had their car serviced. There were two blank spaces on the form. The first one entitled the person whose name was filled in to a 10% discount on their next car service. The second space was for the person who had just had a service.

If the card was used, that person then got a 10% discount as well. In other words there was an incentive to pass on the referral. In addition, there was also a strong subliminal message to the person being referred. They were being told that not only had the referrer had their car serviced and that they were happy with it, they also were prepared to go back again to get their 10% discount.

Create a Referral Strategy Today:

1. List all of your existing customers and categorize them by niche.

2. Ask yourself, what incentive you can give them to send you leads.

3. Set yourself a target of how many referrals you are looking for from each customer.

4. Do it, and measure it.

5. Once you know what works, and what doesn’t – modify your system accordingly.

An opportunity lost, could be an opportunity gained.

There is one other great place to get referrals. And that is from the prospects that don’t become customers. Let’s assume you lose the sale, for whatever reason. You must remember that there is actually good in all people! When they tell you have lost, be nice and understanding, you may do business again at a later stage. Most importantly, ask them for a referral. The chances are, human nature, will kick in and they can absolve their conscience by giving you a referral.

Ad revenue 24

Ad Revenue

If you want to make money on the Internet, there are a great many ways to do so. You can write, like I do, or you can own a business that supplies goods or services. You can also make money via ad revenue, and this is a route that many have chosen to take. Sometimes, all you need is a website with some keyword dense articles and an ad revenue program like Google’s Adsense and you are good to go. There are many who make money this way, and they make a lot of money.

There are tricks to it, and it isn’t as simple as slapping up a website and repeating some keywords. Google is always working to better enhance their search engine capabilities to give searchers more relevant results. You really have to study the rules of their ad revenue program and how their search engine works before you can make a go of it. You have to be sure search engines find your content, but you also have to be careful you are not producing spam.

Google isn’t the only way to make money from ad revenue online. Take the site www. pogo. com for example. Pogo has online games that you can play, and many of them have a cash jackpot you can win. They make most of their money on ad revenue from the various ads you see all over their site. They have a subscription fee so you can join and not have to look at the ads, but I suspect the ad revenue is where they get most of their profits. People pay money every time their ad is viewed, and this can mean good money for a site with a lot of traffic.

If you want to make money with ad revenue, do your research and decide how much time and effort you have to put into it. If you need content, you can always hire some writers, but you have to make sure they know what they are doing. If you need a website, you can have someone build it for you. Ad revenue will only come if you have visitors on your site, so make sure you shell out some cash for your own ads, and make sure you network and promote your site. If you can’t get people there and Google and the other search engines can’t pick you up, your venture into ad revenue is going to be a loss.

Anime collecting a great hobby for kids

Anime Collecting: A Great Hobby for Kids

Are you a parent who is fed up with the constant attention paid to television, music, and video games? If you are, you may want to take your child’s love for television and other forms of media and turn it into a productive and potentially profitable hobby. You and your child can do this with anime collecting.

Before examining how and why anime collecting is a great activity for children, it is important to focus on the genre itself. When many parents think of anime, they think of adult themed movies, television shows, and books. Yes, there are many anime books, movies, and television shows that have adult themes, but there are also kid-friendly programs and books available as well. Should you wish to start an anime collection with your child, just be sure to use your best judgment, especially with books and movies, which may have adult only themes.

Returning back to why anime collecting is ideal for kids, one of the many reasons why anime collecting is great for children, especially teenagers, is because it is a fun and safe activity. When collecting, your child will likely want to spend time researching and examining items that they can collect. This can get their mind to think in a productive matter, which is something that pleases many parents. It is also important to mention that many children love anime characters or at least cartoons in general. If this is the case, there is already an added plus for anime collecting.

Anime collecting for children is also great for goal setting. Depending on your child and their age, you can get them to set goals for themselves and their anime collection. For example, you teach your child the importance of leaving all items in their packages, how to categorize their collections to find and buy full sets, as well as teach them other ways that they can turn this fun hobby into a profitable venture in the future. In fact, there an unlimited number of goals that can focus on anime collections.

In keeping with goal setting, anime characters aren’t always associated with education, but they can be. As a parent, there are a number of ways that you can turn the hobby of collecting anime collectibles into an educational experience for your child. As previously stated, categorization is a great approach. The same can be said for researching anime collectible values, average selling prices, availably, and much more!

Anime collecting also makes a great hobby for children and teenagers, as it is relatively easy to do. Unfortunately, many parents think that anime collecting is too costly of a hobby to enjoy. If your child starts out small, they may be able to afford many books, DVDs, or small figures just with their allowance. Also, when others individuals, like friends or family members, know that your child has a hobby of collecting anime collectibles, they are likely to receive gifts that focus on their hobby. In this aspect, it can be relatively easy for a child to develop a nice collection of anime toys, books, movies, and much more!

Another important point to make is pride. As previously stated, many children enjoy watching anime movies and television shows, as well as reading anime books. For your child, this may result in a nice collection that they can show off to their friends. This, alone, will increase the pride associated with creating an anime collection, regardless of what that collection includes.

Of course, the decision to have your child become an anime collector is up to you and your child, but it is still a hobby that should be examined. Generally speaking, when compared to other collecting hobbies, such as stamp collecting and coin collecting, anime collecting is generally much more popular with children and teenagers. This is often due in part to the interests that many children and teens have with this popular genre.

PPPPP

Word Count 654

How to build a pc

Do you know what could beat the exciting feeling of having a new computer? Make your own PC!

Making your own computer from scratch is not only fun to do but cheaper as well. You can get to choose the parts you want to use on your PC. This gives you the control in balancing the price and the quality of your newly assembled PC.

Before we show you the steps, here are the necessary parts of the computer that you need to buy:

• Processor Cooler

• Motherboard memory

• Graphics Card

• Hard Drive

• CD or DVD Writer

• Floppy Drive

• Sound Card

• Computer Case

• Power Supply

• Monitor

• Keyboard

• Mouse

Steps in making your own PC:

Step 1

The computer case includes motherboard spacers and screws. This helps set the motherboard in the case. Mount the spacers into the corners and to the proper side holes. It should match up with the holes in your motherboard.

If the motherboard has different jack arrangements from the case’s I/O (input/output) shield, use the shield that comes with the motherboard. Mount it from the inside of the case.

Now, to install the processor, raise the lever on the side of the CPU (processor) socket. The CPU’s pins are made in a way that it is possible to put the CPU into the socket only one way. Therefore, if you are doing it right, it should easily fit.

Hold the processor down and close to the lever. Before installing the CPU cooler, put thermal compound onto the top of the CPU (on core).

Step 2

Mount the processor cooler on top of the processor. Press down lightly. Clip the heat sink to the processor socket. Attach the CPU cooler’s fan power to the motherboard’s fan header. It is usually labeled “CPU FAN 1”.

Plug in the memory module to the long sockets called DIMM’s. Unlock both tabs and push the memory straight down. The clips on the slot’s sides should close. Carefully push the motherboard against the I/O shield. Put in and tighten the motherboard screws. Do not force it.

The brown slot nearest to the processor is the AGP slot meant for the video card. Insert the video card evenly in the slot provided. Screw the card into place. Make sure that your AGP video card is placed properly.

At the corner of the motherboard, you can see two rows of pins. Connect case leads to the pins. These leads are usually labeled. Read your motherboard manual. See which label goes to which set of pins.

Step 3

Now we mount the floppy drive, CD/DVD drive and the hard drive. The motherboard usually has 2 IDE channels, each supporting 2 devices. If you install 2 IDE devices on the same cable, you will have the main to be the “master” and the other to be the “slave”.

This is the same procedure for CD/DVD drives. Look for an HDD and CD drive manual for the correct jumper settings. You should do these before you screw drives into place.

Connect hard drives to a channel different from the CD drives. Floppy controller has a socket shorter than the IDE controllers.

Make sure the side of the IDE cable that has a red colored stripe lines up with pin1.

Lastly, plug in the main ATX power cable and connect all drives with the power supply. If you have more case coolers, you may also connect them.

Now, connect your monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers to the back of the case. Put in the power cable to the power supply unit. Double-check proper installation before the first boot.

You can now show your friends your first assembled computer.

Quick easy home loans r possible

For a quick and easy home loan approval, have the following ready and available:

First decide what type of mortgage company best suits your needs. Is it your local bank or a mortgage broker? Mainly, the difference between the two is the array of programs they may have to offer and different "qualifying" standards. Your local bank may be the best alternative for you as they have all your information on file and paperwork will be less "dramatic". However, some banks have higher standards they require in order to qualify for a home loan (i. e. income, credit, debt ratio, etc.) and for some, this could get tricky. A mortgage broker can give you more "lead way" with your credit, income, down payments (if purchasing a home) etc. They normally work independently and have access to hundreds of different lenders to shop for a loan to meet your personal situation. Mortgage brokers charge a fee for this service (which is usually included in your loan) But, your chances of getting approved and at an acceptable interest rate increases with this service.

OK, you now know which route best fits your needs. Next you will want to gather this information:

1. All income - including W2's for the last 2 years, most recent paystubs for the past month, tax returns along with any other income documentation (i. e. regular income from capital gains, income from commissions and so on.) If you plan on using any child support or alimony as income, have documentation available.

2. All assets - last 2 months of bank statements, latest 401K statement, Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, etc. statements. If you sold your home have a copy of the HUD1 settlement statement. (Many of these statements can be accessed and printed by you via internet)

3. Credit - If you rent, try to have rent receipts (12 months) along with your landlords information for verification purposes. Be prepared to have answers to reasons why there may be any late payments, judgments, credit inquires in the last 3 months, charge-offs, collections or liens on your credit report. If you filed for bankruptcy in the last 7 years, have your discharge papers available.

4. If you are purchasing a home, have a copy of the purchase agreement (if you previously signed) available. If you are refinancing, have a copy of your most recent monthly mortgage bill statement.

5. Lastly and the easiest, I saved for last :) A copy of your social security card and drivers license.

Keep in mind, you do not need to have all this at hand when applying or filling out an application. BUT, it is a good idea to gather it and have it readily available in the meantime! It will save you much grief and get you a QUICK & EASY closing!

Shopping around for a personal debt consolidation loan how to avoid a scam and find a good one

Introduction

If you are like many people living today, you may have found yourself being forced to deal with ever increasing debt. You may feel that your debt has become completely out of control. You may be seeking solutions through which you can restore some order to your finances and lower and control your debt. One option that you may want to consider is a personal debt consolidation loan.

Through this article you will be provided with an overview of how you can best shop around for a personal debt consolidation loan. Specifically, this article will provide you some guidance about how you can go about avoiding a personal debt consolidation loan scam.

Major Personal Debt Consolidation Loan Scams

There are two general types of a personal debt consolidation loan scams that are being pursued by unscrupulous people in the world today. It is important that you have a general concept of these two major types of personal debt consolidation loan scams so that you can be on the alert for these situations.

The first major type of personal debt consolidation loan scam involves what might be called a complete and utter sham. In this case, advertisements are placed or sent to consumers (oftentimes via email) promoting a low cost personal debt consolidation loan. The advertisement or email includes a link that purports to be to the lender’s website. (Oftentimes, a well known lender or lending company is named in the ad -- a lending company that you more naturally would trust.)

If you click onto the link, you actually end up at a fake lending website, a sham website. If you continue to follow the process and input your personal and financial information at the website, you will have found yourself the victim of identity theft. This scam is better known as “phishing” and is a common and growing problem on the Internet and World Wide Web.

The second major type of personal debt consolidation loan scam does not involve identity theft as such. Rather, you are once again drawn into a fake lending website. In this type of scam, you are asked to pay some sort of processing or application fee up front. In the end, there really is no lender and the fake lender actually takes your money and runs.

Other Personal Debt Consolidation Loan Scams

There are other personal debt consolidation loan scams that actually are perpetrated by lending institutions -- albeit not particularly reliable or reputable personal debt consolidation loan lenders. In these situations, a consumer is drawn to a personal debt consolidation loan lender because of promises of low interest rates and similar savings. In reality, these ads are misleading and, if you apply for and are approved for one of these loans, you end up getting hit with much higher interest rates than expected as well as with a flood of other unanticipated fees, costs and charges. You must -- must -- always read the fine print before applying for a personal debt consolidation loan.

Looking for a second home your destin fl. options

Paradise is what most people call Destin Florida, and that's because it truly is a beautiful place. Destin is a place that epitomizes what people think of when they think of Florida—white sand and turquoise water stretching off into the horizon. If you are looking to make your home in paradise, also known as Destin Florida, then check out the new homes being built in Destin lately.

Ariel Dunes I and II, are new twin condominium tower developments—the tallest in the area—boasting stunning views of the both the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay. These are truly gorgeous suites, with up to three bedrooms and all with private balconies. The interiors feature high end finishing details such as granite counter tops, high quality stainless appliances and tile flooring, and are designed with elegant high ceilings. Outside, there is a whole series of expansive pools surrounding the two towers, making up over 12,000 sq. ft. of water. As well, Ariel Dunes owns beach-front for use by its owners and renters. Finally, there's a great restaurant on the bottom floor of the first tower, so you don't have to travel far to enjoy a meal or drink out. Whether you are thinking of a vacation rental, or considering a permanent move to Destin, Ariel Dunes will have what you are looking for.

If that doesn't meet your needs, consider Emerald Grande. If you're reading this before August 31, 2008, they have a great summer rates that are 30 percent off their regular rates, plus include free golf and fishing. Facing the Gulf of Mexico, Emerald Grande is a vacation condo that offers rental or ownership options. If you are looking for a second home or a vacation home, Emerald Grande is an excellent choice as there is built-in management services, cleaning and it's all completely furnished, if you desire. No more having to wonder what is happening to your condo when you can't be there! Also, they offer fractional ownership, similar to time-shares, so you can visit the Florida coast during your agreed upon times, knowing you've got all the perks of owning, without the stress of management or rental.

Emerald Grande features a full spa and fitness center. There's a 2,500 sq. ft. outdoor pool in addition to a heated indoor pool, plus hot tubs. There's a restaurant and room service. If you want it, there's even daily housekeeping, so you can relax and enjoy your vacation. If you've got a special event planned, there's a banquet room and facilities that can accommodate weddings or large business meetings. If you've got kids, they've got a seasonal kid's club with special events and activities for the little ones. If relaxing on the beach is your priority, then take advantage of the private boat that takes you to a secluded beach. This resort condominium truly offers you everything you could want in a vacation home.

However, that still might not be what you are after. If a gravity-defying roof-top pool sounds more to your liking, then the beach-front Signature Beach condominiums might be what you are looking for. They have less of a resort eel than Emerald Grande, but still have the amenities you look for in a vacation home. With a competent management company, you know your condo is in good hands when you can't be there.

Whatever your preference, there's a condominium or home in Destin that will suit you. These are just a few of the new developments in Destin—there are also plenty of established condos and homes to choose from. If you want help finding just the right place, contact a qualified Destin real estate agent today.

Children s vitamins

Many parents are concerned that their children do not consume the proper foods they need to stay strong and healthy. The truth is children can be picky eaters. Some children will go through stages where they will refuse to eat anything other than a favorite food, while other children will try new foods, but do not take to them.

Children’s vitamins are available to parents who want to ensure their children are receiving the necessary nutrients he or she needs to grow strong and healthy. Even parents who have children who eat well are supplementing their children’s diet with vitamins. The fact is the earth’s soil is rapidly being depleted of nutrients, and the rigors of food processing also leaves many foods deficient in vitamins and minerals.

Children’s vitamins are packaged in such a way that they are attractive to children. Most children’s vitamins come in colorful and fun shapes. Many manufacturers of children’s vitamins are packaging their vitamins in lollipop, gum ball and gummy bear varieties. Because these vitamins resemble candy, it is important that you keep them away from a child’s reach and that you monitor their intake. If you find your child has taken extra vitamins, you should consult their pediatrician or your local poison control center.

There are instances when a pediatrician will prescribe vitamins for a child. If a child has a vitamin deficiency, does not have access to fluoridated water, or has anemia or other illness or disease, vitamin supplements may be prescribed for a child. However, in general, many pediatricians believe that children do not need vitamin supplements if they are being fed properly. They feel that children can receive all the vitamins and minerals they need if they eat according to the Food Pyramid. Consult with your child’s pediatrician before starting them on a vitamin.

Vitamins are supplements and not replacements. Children’s vitamin supplements should never be looked upon as a replacement for healthy eating. Encourage your child to eat the foods they need, and do things to make nutrition fun and flavorful for them. For instance, letting children add grated cheese to their vegetables will make some children more interested in eating them. Allowing a child to drink calcium fortified orange juice over milk works well for a child who does not like milk. Let your child participate in making a vegetable pizza, or let them pick out fruit at a market and place it in their own special area at home. All of these tips can go a long way in helping a picky eaters overcome their fears so they consume the vitamins they need.

Top 5 ways to make money online

Who in this world would not like to make some money? That is the question that a good many people ask and they are finding that it is easier than ever to make some money with their internet connection. This is no secret as there have been ways to make money online since the dawn of the internet age and more and more people are jumping on the band wagon. Of course this does not mean that you should take in everything that comes down the pike. There are more than enough scams that are running where the only people that are making money are the ones running the scam. Before undertaking any kind of money making opportunity you should be sure to check it out thoroughly, because they may be nothing more than thieves in disguise.

One of the best ways to make money online is through one of the online auction places. There is a lot of money being made with this type of thing and it actually requires very little effort on the part of the person who is selling the items. You will of course need to determine a proper product to sell and then make the items appealing to others. There is a whole host of things that you can sell through these sites and that means that you can make a lot of money if you know what you are doing.

Owning a web site that sells products is another way to make money online. You have a lot less in the way of fees as opposed to the online auction site but that also means that you have to do all the marketing yourself. This can be tricky as you need to drive the traffic to the site yourself, which is something that the online auction venues do for you. All in all you can make a good share of money if you plan ahead and make it work.

Affiliate programs are also making a strong showing to make money online. Instead of having to come up with products to sell yourself you undertake the task of selling another companies products for them. This is usually done on a commission basis and can really work for someone who is in the sales game full time. There are a good many companies that offer this type of thing and all you have to do is figure out which one is the best for you.

Information products are another good way to make money online. If you are an expert on something than someone else is most likely to pay you for that type of information. This can come in the form of books or just a basic online class. There is a lot of money being made in this area and if you have some skills you can cash in on it.

Web design is still one of the areas that one can make money online as well. There are a lot of people that want a web site set up and that means those who have the skills to do so can make some serious money.

Computer training with it computer training courses computer courses

:
ABCO Technology specializes in providing Computer Training and Consulting for the Information Technology Industry. Computer Training is provided by experienced, certified industry experts that have years of seasoning in their respective field of Information Technology. All instructors use the official vendor curriculums for their courses, along with using live company projects to enhance the usability of the training material. It is through this method of education that our students have been able to move on to high-level professions inside the IT industry.

ABCO Technology is your one stop IT Solution Company, along with training we also offer IT consulting services to companies including web site design, corporate network setup, repair and maintenance, database design and development, Application development, Project Management. Whether you or your company need training on applications as well as computer use or need to update, migrate or repair your existing company setup ABCO can present a solution that will fit your needs. On internet, the people mostly come to search for the information. Most of the information is text based. If a fancy page has no information or substance, it delivers no value. With these things and your research in mind, here are few other important points that you must take into account while planning your website design. Also we provides Search Engine Marketing Consulting service offers classy keyword research, link building, SEO optimization and marketing tips, web site promotion internet marketing using organic SEO techniques.

ABCO Technology is dedicated to helping companies find the right computer training and consulting services for their business. We strive to be the finest resource available, allowing our clients to achieve the best practical hands-on training or IT solutions Clients want technology to work efficiently and simply. ABCO helps your company move in the right direction with the right solution. We offer Specialized programming classes designed for clients who have special IT requirements. We make a special promise to all of our clients that all classes at ABCO will be simulated according to the job environment. We can provide training at our location or at the client's site. Students can ask specific questions, receive time sensitive hands-on training and ask the key questions which can lead to improve their performance at work after training from ABCO.

ABCO Technology Computer Training Schools offer basic IT Computer Training Certifications in specific operating systems like Linux or basic networking technologies. Associate certification course are also offered and tend to take one year to complete and prepare for jobs as systems analysts, database administrators, or middle level design positions. ABCO Technology computer training institute prepare individuals for higher-level computing and engineering jobs.

Popular pool accessories for kiddie pools

Popular Pool Accessories for Kiddie Pools

When most of us think of swimming pools, aboveground pools and in-ground pools are often the first things that come to mind. Although they may be the most popular types of pools, they are not the only pools that are available for sale. In the United States, a large number of families have what is known as a kiddie pool.

A kiddie pool is a small sized pool. It was designed with children in mind; thus the title of kiddie pool. These popular pools come in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes, and styles. Despite the different designs, most kiddie pools do not average more than two feet of water. In fact, many are designed to hold less than that amount. As previously mentioned, kiddie pools are designed for families with small children; however, anyone can own them. They are also popular among teens and adults, especially those that live in a home or an apartment with a small backyard.

Since most kiddie pools are small in size, many believe that they do not need pool accessories. While your kiddie pool may not need pool accessories for you to enjoy it, you may want to consider purchasing some. The size of a kiddie pool may limit the number of pool toys or pool accessories that you can have, but there are still many products that you may find available for purchase. These products may include kiddie pool cleaning supplies, lifesaving devices, and pool toys

Although the depth of most kiddie pools is only around two feet, you may still want to protect your child. The best available lifesaving device is a lifejacket; however, many are difficult or impossible to use in a kiddie pool. If you want to equip your child with something that may help them stay afloat, you may want to examine arm floaties. Once inflated, arm floaties will slip on to a child’s arm. What is nice about most arm floaties is that they can be purchased for a low price. Many discount stores, department stores, and even dollar stores carry arm floaties.

While it is nice to protect your child while they are swimming, you will also want them to have fun. This can be done with the purchase of pool toys. As with most aboveground and in-ground pool toys, you will find that there are a wide variety of different pool toys that are safe to use in a kiddie pool. These items may include, but should not be limited to, beach balls, swim rings, and small floating toys. Similar to, the above mentioned arm floaties, many of these pool toys can be purchased for a low price.

In addition to pool toys and lifesaving devices, you may also want to examine other pool accessories. These other accessories may include pool cleaning supplies or maintenance supplies. Despite the fact that many kiddie pools are easy to drain and refill, not everyone may be able do this. If you are unable to regularly change the water in your kiddie pool, you may be able to benefit from purchasing a few pool cleaning supplies. A pool skimmer makes it easy to remove debris from all pools, including kiddie pools.

Since most kiddie pools are inflatable, you may want to have repair kits on hands. These repair kits should contain patches that can be used to repair a leak or hole in a kiddie pool. While most kiddie pools come with a few repair patches, you may want to think about having more on hand, just in case. As with most other pool accessories and cleaning supplies, kiddie pool repair kits can be purchased from most, on and offline, retailers.

As you can see, a kiddie pool doesn’t just have to be a kiddie pool. Whether your kiddie pool is used for fun or for relaxation, there are a number of different pool accessories and supplies that may help to make your swimming or wading enjoyable.

PPPPP

Word Count 659

Incorporate a disaster recovery plan

Nordural ehf's backup system needed to incorporate a Disaster Recovery plan that would reduce the backup window from ten hours to two-three hours.

A Disaster Recovery Plan is a coordinated activity to enable the recovery of IT/business systems due to a disruption. Disaster Recovery can be achieved by restoring IT/business operations at an alternate location, recovering IT/business operations using alternate equipment, and/or performing some or all of the affected business processes using manual methods.

It was essential that Nordural's backup system incorporate a trustworthy Disaster Recovery plan that would reduce its backup window from ten hours to two-three hours. In addition to this, Nordural wanted a Disaster Recovery plan that restored the company's most critical servers to bare metal restore in less than two hours.

Nordural's decision to select the SecurStore Remote Backup Service highlights the strength and flexibility of managed services.

Remote backup (sometimes also referred to as online backup) is a service that provides users with an online system for backing up and storing computer files. Remote backup service providers are companies that provide a software program and space on a server that their client's data is stored on. The software program will run on a client’s computer and (typically) once a day; compress, encrypt and then send the client's data to the remote backup service providers' servers to be stored

With SecurStore, Nordural had the assurance that all their requirements would be met - from a fast critical restore, to remote backup at multiple locations, to a simple and effective interface for the

IT people at Nordural.

"We chose the SecurStore Remote Backup Service because it gives us all round backup and recovery services for our needs, with 24x7x365 support" said Emil Hilmarsson, IT Manager Nordural. SecurStore also provided Nordural with the option of assigning which data is 'critical; and which is 'important' data by using Long Term Storage with the use of Backup Lifecycle Management system that manages data during all backing up and archiving processes.

Backup Lifecycle Management differentiates data into varying levels of protected data: current critical data, which is stored on-line for fast recovery; and archivable data that may be needed at a later time but is not likely to be accessed in the near future.

Alexander Eirнksson, President of SecurStore, confirmed, "The agentless architecture of SecurStore Remote Backup Service allows us to implement the service with minimal interference to Nordural's existing computer systems. Moreover, because the service is pivoted around providing backup and recovery for geographically dispersed locations, it perfectly compliments Nordural's multi-site locations, remote or otherwise. This provisioning enables Nordural to remotely back up laptops even when workers are away."

At each customer site, a single client discovers all servers, desktops and laptops connected to the local network, and automates the backup of all local data assets.

The top 50 ways to survive college for the first time off to college kid

1. Never miss a meal – you might regret it later that hour.

2. Park your car accessibly close.

3. Don’t park in timed zones (2 hour, etc.) – parking overtime adds up.

4. Don’t park in No Parking zones – parking tickets add up and have to be paid before next semester’s registration.

5. Don’t park in Tow Away zones – towing fees are hard to come by.

6. Take the bus.

7. A fine-point Sharpie is the best thing to use for signing autographs.

8. A fine-point Sharpie is the best thing to use for signing casts.

9. A fine-point Sharpie is the best thing to use for signing “I’m a friend when you need one” cards.

10. Staplers can be used to repair the hem on your jeans.

11. Staplers can NOT be used to repair a torn dress or bra strap.

12. Staple removers make great ice tongs for tiny ice cubes.

13. Staple removers are almost worthless for removing heavy-duty staples, whether they are in paper or your drunk roommate’s eyeball.

14. The smell of the contents of a laundry bag is proportional to the height of the guest you just brought in your dorm room compared to where the bag is hanging. The shorter the guest, the higher the bag needs to hang (fumes rise).

15. The smell of the contents of a laundry bag gets worse as the contents get higher in the bag.

16. There are two alternatives to the smell of the contents of the laundry bag:

a. Wash the clothes.

b. Buy new clothes.

c. Taking the clothes home for the weekend for Mama to wash is not an option!!

17. When you have to produce a chart for Geography class, make it color-coded.

18. The extra expense and time of a color-coded chart will be well worth the effort when you see the “A” on the paper.

19. RoseArt makes the cheapest markers and colored pencils for making charts for Geography class.

20. Crayola markers last longer and are probably darker, but since they all dry out eventually and you’ll have to buy another set next semester for the Anthropology charts, why waste the money now?

21. Wal-Mart is the best place to buy school supplies, towels with the University logo, and sweatshirts with the school emblem on them.

22. Prices for EVERYTHING at the college bookstore are seriously inflated to show a profit to the Board of Regents.

23. The Board of Regents really does not care how much you spent on markers.

24. Wal-Mart was the first store on the moon and on Mars, so there will be one in your college town. Find it. Patronize it. Get to know its manager.

25. Wal-Mart and Waffle House are case studies in your Marketing classes textbooks.

26. Waffle House is open 24 hours a day.

27. Waffle House coffee will hold open your eyes, fill an empty tummy that has no other money, and warm a tired student who needed a place to come in out of the rain.

28. Waffle House waitresses LIKE tips.

29. Waffle House waitresses love college kids who tip.

30. Waffle House waitresses will listen with interest when you are professor bashing – just make sure he’s not her brother before you start berating him.

31. Waffle House waitresses will come to your graduation and look on you with pride as their “rent-a-kid” if you’ve tipped often enough.

32. Use a corkboard, not the wall, as your bulletin board.

33. Push pins leave little holes in the wall.

34. Push pins leave little holes in your bank account when you have to pay to have the holes filled in at the end of the semester. Staples do, too.

35. Staples are hard to remove from a bulletin board. Use push pins.

36. Push pins can not be used to deflate your roommate’s boy(or girl)friend’s tires. Except when inserted into the sidewall of the tire (near the rim).

37. Taking 12 pairs of shoes to college is a bit excessive, especially since you’ll wear OUT your favorite tennis shoes, sandals, and loafers, but the others have to be transported to school and back home.

38. Dr. Scholl’s makes great gel inserts for worn-out favorite tennis shoes.

39. If you share a room/bath with several other roommates or hallmates, set the guidelines, nicely, on the first day:

a. Don’t use my ________ (insert soap, shampoo, crиme rinse, deodorant, towel, washcloth, loofah, etc. as needed) and I’ll try not to use yours but once or twice.

b. Don’t bring your girlfriend (or boyfriend) to the room without warning me first. If you do, bring me earplugs and eyeshades so I won’t have to watch what you’re doing.

c. Don’t take my last pencil/pen/paper without warning me first. If you do, I might have to use the back of your term paper for my class notes.

d. Keep your dirty, smelly laundry on your side of the room. My side will be full of my own.

e. Be nice to me. Otherwise, my overly large primate friends might trash your side of the room one night while I’m out for the night and have conveniently left the door unlocked.

f. Let me know when you’re going to spend the night out so I can make use of your side of the room.

40. Hole punchers only work if you keep them aligned.

41. Hole punchers only work if you keep them emptied of the little dots they create from punching holes in your papers.

42. Little dots from the hole-puncher hopper make great confetti.

43. Little dots from the hole-puncher hopper are REALLY hard to get out of carpet.

44. The cheap, shag carpet in older rental trailers that your older college friends are renting holds a ton of little dots from the hole-puncher hopper.

45. Use the appropriate size binder clip for the project.

46. Binder clips come in several sizes:

a. Teensy (holds 1 sheet of notebook paper or 2 kisses)

b. Tiny (holds 4 sheets of notebook paper or 1 folded dollar for the Waffle House waitress).

c. Small (holds 8 sheets of notebook paper or 2 quarters for a bad Waffle House tip).

d. Medium (holds 20-40 sheets of notebook paper or for attaching 1 small magazine to your roommate’s pillowcase).

e. Large (holds 100 sheets of notebook paper or a split seam of a fairly loose garment until you can get back to your dorm room; a split seam of a tight garment needs a coat or garbage to cover it up – repairing it is a waste of time).

f. Excessive (holds 4 books and takes 3 people to press it open; if you get your finger caught in its jaws of death, have someone else dial 911).

47. Sticky-do’s (commonly referred to as “post-it notes) come in several flavors:

a. 1.5” x 2” (Small. Worthless for anything but reminding yourself to buy larger sticky-do’s).

b. 3” x 3” (Medium. Don’t use this size to leave notes on your roommate’s pillow like “We’re all out of cornflakes. FU” [quote from Felix Unger, played by Jack Lemmon, in “The Odd Couple,” a GREAT movie about roommates]).

c. 4” x 6” (Large. More expensive, but in the louder colors, make great backgrounds for your roommate’s dull bulletin board).

48. Gem clips, whether plastic or metal, are worthless. Unless you need to hold used tissues together while your drunken roommate spills the beans at IHOP about the frat party bash/orgy/sleepover.

49. IHOP waitresses like tips, too.

50. Academic pursuits in college are for your spare time. Pursue them sparingly.

Next: How to survive your first semester academically.